Sports news from Los Angeles and beyond

Angels' long sojourn ends with a loss, 2-0

June 1, 2011 | 4:14
pm

Tyler Chatwood gave the Angels one of the best performances of his brief major league career Wednesday, shutting Kansas City out on five hits through 7 2/3 innings, but it went for naught when Billy Butler hit a disputed two-run home run off reliever Scott Downs with one out in the ninth

With the loss, the Angels staggered to the finish of an odyssey that saw them play 20 games in as many days, visiting six cities in five states, traveling approximately 7,600 miles and passing through three time zones. And with the exception of Chatwood, they looked every bit the weary travelers they were, managing just seven hits -- six of them singles, three of which never left the infield -- and striking out 10 times.

Jeff Francoeur stated the winning rally with a one-out single up the middle. Butler than worked the count to 3-1 before lining a ball to left field that appeared to hit the top of the wall and bounce into the stands. After originally ruling it a double, three of the umpires left the field for a video review before giving Butler, who was standing at second, the walk-off homer.

The Angels were continually frustrated on offense, getting a runner as far as third base in the first inning, then loading the bases with no outs in the third. But Alberto Callaspo ended the first threat by grounding out to first and Torii Hunter ended the second by bouncing into a double play.

The Angels loaded the bases again in the eighth but this time Callaspo was robbed of a pair of runs batted in on a great game-saving play by shortstop Alcides Escobar, who made a diving stop deep in the hole, bounced up and made the long throw across the diamond to get the runner by a step.

Chatwood, meanwhile, did not allow more than one baserunner in any inning and was helped by two double plays.

Erick Aybar finished with three hits for the Angels while Butler, Francoeur and rookie Eric Hosmer had two hits each for Kansas City.

-- Kevin Baxter in Kansas City, Mo.

Photo: Kansas City's Billy Butler is congratulated by his teammates after hitting a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth against the Angels on Wednesday. Ed Zurga / Associated Press